The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Shaping Student Careers

• By Calvin Bowler
• 13-09-2024
• Artificial Intelligence

The education sector is conservative and based on traditions. Therefore, innovations do not come first in education, but they are proven. Digitalization plays a special role in this, which will change the usual ideas about teaching methods. Today, we are already seeing a transition from one-to-many learning to personalized studying using artificial intelligence, adaptive educational platforms, and personalized programs.

The use of AI and immersive technologies such as VR and AR allows for the creation of learning environments in which students are immersed in interactive and live educational situations. This can improve understanding of the material and make learning more engaging. Concepts of game-based learning are emerging.

Students actively use Artificial Intelligence during their studies, especially for homework. Unfortunately, AI cannot always give a satisfactory result. Therefore, if you have difficulties with assignments, it is better to resort to the help of an essay writing service such as EssayShark, where professional writers work.

Students as digital natives

The role of the teacher also evolves in the context of the changes. From the usual methods of knowledge transfer, teachers become mentors, organizers, and guides in the world of information. The main reason why we are forced to introduce AI into education is the new digital generation (digital natives).

We are talking about the fact that young people already intuitively use digital technologies; this is a world that is understandable to them. They confidently stream their computer game while simultaneously chatting in messengers. Thus, Google's study indicates that students are already using smart speakers and neural networks to do their homework.

However, AI is developing and being implemented so quickly that it is affecting professions and employment. According to estimates by the World Financial Forum, we will lose 83 million jobs, and 69 million jobs will be created in the next five years. Specialists in Artificial Intelligence and machine learning top the list of fast-growing vacancies. Most of the fastest-growing roles on the list are related to technology, for example, a prompt engineer, i.e., a specialist in setting tasks for algorithms. Alternatively, those are professions at the intersection of machine learning and medicine: a specialist in training algorithms for recognizing X-rays or CT scans. At risk of layoffs are clerical (like bank clerks) or secretarial positions. Does the education system prepare the younger generation for the new realities of the labor market?

Artificial Intelligence as an end-to-end technology

Conversations about breakthrough technologies always require an explanation of the terminology and separation of the marketing name from the actual practice of use. "Artificial Intelligence" can be considered a "man-made mental ability" since the term "Intelligence" means mental qualities, the ability to adapt and learn from one's own experience.

The term "Artificial Intelligence" often creates an unjustified aura of fantasy for everything to which it is attached as a label. In fact, we are talking about the use of algorithms or groups of algorithms to solve specific problems. These algorithms provide numerical solutions with a certain accuracy.

AI is a numerical method that software engineers use. However, an inexperienced user sees the "magic" of the drawing generation and does not care about errors when a person in the picture has eight fingers. Smart algorithms are used in various industries, and sometimes, the same algorithm can be used in medicine, education, or other fields.
Such applications have significant measurable effects on these industries. This is the acceleration of processes, revenue growth, cost

reduction, and even the creation of fundamentally new digital processes that are impossible without the use of one or another type of Artificial Intelligence. Therefore, AI is rightly called an end-to-end technology. However, it would be more correct to use the following terms depending on the context: machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, etc. Therefore, it is more correct to talk about AI in education rather than specify the area of ​​application or the task itself.

AI is not a threat but a challenge

Machine learning algorithms a priori contain a statistical error in the solution, the probability of mistake. If they are trained on incomplete data, they simply show an incorrect picture. For example, a video sequence generated using Stable Diffusion was supposed to show the evolution of humanity through the art of different eras. At the first viewing, we see a bearded Mona Lisa. There are also some problems with the evolution of humanity: after the higher primates, cave paintings appear, and among the cavemen, you can see centaurs, not to mention the fact that the cultures of Asia and the East are not represented at all. Can such a video be shown as educational? Of course not. This algorithm is trained on incomplete data. This data for the algorithm was collected by people.

Although this video was not made for educational purposes, it eloquently shows all the incompleteness and inadequacy of learning without a live teacher. There was a very interesting experiment when students were asked to write an essay together with a chat. An important point is that the chatbot is intended from the very beginning as a tool for supporting essay writing. As a result, students began to compare their opinions with what the chatbot wrote. In a sense, they had to compete and be better than the algorithm. Students began to look at their own potential differently. This is an excellent example of how AI can help to reveal human capabilities or at least think about raising the bar. This approach to using AI is called intelligence amplification.

AI is, first of all, a tool in human hands. It is faster to dig with a shovel than with bare hands. With AI, you can work and learn faster. However, without a human teacher, the tool will not work.

Of course, educational courses should change. Now, teachers teach students not just like people who have to generate their own content, but they teach people who have such a powerful tool (like AI). Therefore, students must understand that Artificial Intelligence is only a means to achieve career goals, not a substitute for human knowledge and skills.